Peat fuel



Nov. 13,1928. 1,691,734

R. E. OBER FEAT FUEL Filed Aug. 15, 1927 Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

oNrrEn s-raras Parser er l tera rice."

RAYMOND E. OBER, or CROSBY, MINNESOTA.

FEAT FUEL.

Application filed August 15, 1927. Serial No. 212,937. g

Figure l is a perspective view of a unit of fuel having the advantages hereinafter described when initially formed; and

Figure2 is alike view'of an ultimate unit of such fuel.

From my experiments in the manufacture of peat fuel it has been determined thatthe rate of evaporation'from machined peat depends upon the surface. contact with volume of air. Given a certain volume of peat, whether in a block, sheet, or other form, the greater the surface exposure the more rapid the evaporation of the contained moisture. It has been found that aliollow cylinder at once gives strength of cross section and a maximum surface exposure. The ratio between surface area and volume depends on thickness of the wall of the hollow cylinder. In experiments for the manufacture of peat fuel, standard pug and auger machines were used to macerate and knead raw materialand shape it into a hollow'column, which passed over a standard taut wire cutting table which cut the column into blocks of the desired length. It was found that the speed of'flow of column was limited through any size of orifice, and that volume production could be attained only by increasing the size of onfice in front head of auger. However, regardless ofsize of block, ifrapid evaporation were to be obtained, a minimum thickness of wall must be had. A large block with a thin wall made of 65% to 67% moisture peat is so unstable as to prevent handling. Hence a design was developed for multiple lobe small block, in which the desired ratio between surface area and volume may be maintained by the regulation ofsize of central cores, and at thesame time volume production attained, due to increase in size of'cross section area of orifice.

' The preferred ratio has been found toloei approximately two of surface area to one of volume, and any hollow cylinder irrespec-' one inch thick tive of diameter having a wall gives this desired ratio. 7

slaving thus described my invention, wha I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat ent, is:

1. A unit of peat fuel initially in substantially the form of multiple hollow cylinders. unit of peat fuel initially in substan- 2. A tially the form of a plurality of weakly united cylinders. e

A unit of peat fuel insubstantiallythe form of a plurality ofattaclied hollowcylinders, there being an axial hole therethrough feet-he purpose described.

l. A hollow substantially cylindrically r shaped unit of peat fuel.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

RAYMOND u. .OBER. 

